Understand
Radnorshire farmer warns that rent cuts and legal fees make hosting 4G masts a nightmare
Overview
A Welsh farmer, Alan Watson, has criticised changes to the Electronic Communications Code, stating that his 4G mast rent has been halved from £5,000 to £2,500 while legal and administrative costs have mounted. The Farmers' Union of Wales and other industry bodies warn that declining rental payments and difficult negotiations could deter landowners from hosting mobile infrastructure, ultimately threatening rural connectivity.
Key points
- Alan Watson, a farmer from Powys, says his 4G mast rent was cut in half from £5,000 to £2,500 following legal reforms.
- Watson claims the process of finalising agreements has cost him thousands in fees and left him with little room for negotiation.
- Changes to the Electronic Communications Code in 2017 were designed to reduce mobile infrastructure costs, but critics argue they have heavily reduced payments and increased adversarial disputes.
- The Farmers' Union of Wales warns that slashed rents and costly negotiations will discourage landowners from hosting masts, harming rural connectivity.
- DEFRA stated that its reforms aim to strike the right balance and ensure landowners are treated fairly while supporting digital connectivity goals.